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Has the Wii-U saved us this Gen?

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The Wii U didn't save the gen, it didn't save us, and it might not have even saved me. But there is one thing I think it did save: Nintendo.

After the Wii, Nintendo wanted to believe it could compete with everything that offers gaming. With the more powerful consoles, with PCs, with mobile, everything. The problem is that Nintendo can only reliably and consistently expect a return on fulfilling one thing for consumers: making great Nintendo games. Both casual consumers and third parties are a fickle bunch, and there's almost nothing Nintendo could have done to bring everyone back and recreate their success from last generation. In some ways, they played it too safe. In other ways, they overreached and further alienated consumers and industry partners.

In my opinion, Nintendo shouldn't be trying to be all things to all gamers. They shouldn't be trying to compete with everything even remotely associated with gaming. They should focus on what they do best: making good games, and if that's on their own proprietary platform or on mobile then that's their choice. The Wii U has saved Nintendo from thinking it's a much larger company than it actually is. We're all expecting Nintendo to compete at a AAA level neck and neck with Sony and Microsoft, but the truth is it can't, and it shouldn't.

I don't understand what people think is so wrong with the prospect of a B-tier console, when we're in an era where B-tier gaming has all but disappeared. The games with mid-level production value of the 90s to the early 2000s is what made this industry so healthy, varied, and exciting. Now everything has to sell 5 million if it wants to avoid being considered a "failure"... or an indie game.

Anyway, this is just a roundabout way of further explaining my dream of Nintendo making the ultimate niche console someday.
 
Saved us this gen? What? This gen is still just as great without the handful of good exclusives on the Wii U. It hasn't saved anything.
 
It would have been a goddamn nightmare without it, that's for sure. Potentially end-of-gaming-and-find-a-new-hobby-worthy.
 
Aeriscloud said:
Best console at the moment, and it's only looking to get stronger, but the generation is so so very far from over.
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To get stronger?

I'm rebuying a Wii U just to play Xenoblade. But I don't think I'll be using the console after finishing the game, until Zelda releases...in 2016.

Unless I've missed a few great announced games, the Wii U future game release list looks tragic to me.
 
Of the three consoles out this gen, the Wii U was the last one I got and also probably my favorite. But there's no denying, hardware, virtual console, and Miiverse aside, this system has a HUGE software problem. Easily the worst lineup of any Nintendo console (not including the Virtual Boy). I still love it, though, and I'm gonna get Star Fox and Zelda day one.
 
Beysus said:
To get stronger?

I'm rebuying a Wii U just to play Xenoblade. But I don't think I'll be using the console after finishing the game, until Zelda releases...in 2016.

Umless I've missed a few great announced games, the Wii U future game release list looks tragic to me.
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that's what E3 is for.
 
Beysus said:
To get stronger?

I'm rebuying a Wii U just to play Xenoblade. But I don't think I'll be using the console after finishing the game, until Zelda releases...in 2016.

Unless I've missed a few great announced games, the Wii U future game release list looks tragic to me.
Click to expand...
You know well e3 is next month
 
Beysus said:
To get stronger?

I'm rebuying a Wii U just to play Xenoblade. But I don't think I'll be using the console after finishing the game, until Zelda releases...in 2016.

Umless I've missed a few great announced games, the Wii U future game release list looks tragic to me.
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Why? Not everyone has a 200+ library of games for each console that they own. Wouldn't the 2015 releases + Zelda, make the library stronger?
 
It's keeping the generation afloat, though not necessarily sailing... if that makes any sense.

And it's solely because of the awesome Nintendo software. Ps4 will eventually get its second wind (Though it had a way better start than Ps3, at least), meanwhile Xbox is Xbox.
 
So what I've gathered from reading the OP and skimming through responses is that lowrider007 posted a subjective opinion thread praising the Wii U with a hyperbolic title which has made the conversation turn into Nintendo fans rushing in to praise the system vs Wii U haters scrambling to point out its flaws. Peppered few and far between are a few rational people noting that the Wii U has a good first party line-up but hasn't 'saved' anything.
 
I don't really get what the OP is trying to achieve here other than hyperbolically letting us know that he likes the Wii U (and, personally, I don't think that's thread-worthy), but Jesus Christ, I can't believe I just waded through nine pages of pure console warrior shitposting.

As in, we're still doing that? I really hope the majority of the posters in this thread aren't grown-assed people.
 
lowrider007 said:
I really think it has and who would of thought it?

I had no interest in the Wii-U initially, not at it's current price point, I only grabbed one a few months ago because someone I knew was selling one cheap and I've honestly not stopped playing it ever since, PC, PS4, Xbox One, nothing has really interested me, I expected a lot more from the other platforms and have been sorely disappointed thus far.

Halo/Gears was my biggest pull for the Xbox platform last gen but I feel it's more than had it's run now, and don't even get me started with Playstation that has lost soo many of their classic franchises, as a 'core' UK Playstation fan I don't even feel connected to them these days, I feel they've lost their identity, and PC, perhaps I'm stuck in the 90's but I really miss my original FPS's, that being said Wolfenstein was pretty good but they are few and far between this days.

Seriously, thank you Nintendo for continuing do what you do best, make decent, fun, polished games, I would of been lost this gen otherwise.
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1778340.jpg
 
Maybe in the twilight zone. The Wii U has graced us with some really great games, but other than that it hasn't done much for the gaming. It's a poorly envisioned outdated system and consumers have clearly made it known that it's not what they want in a gaming system.
 
lowrider007 said:
I really think it has and who would of thought it?

I had no interest in the Wii-U initially, not at it's current price point, I only grabbed one a few months ago because someone I knew was selling one cheap and I've honestly not stopped playing it ever since, PC, PS4, Xbox One, nothing has really interested me, I expected a lot more from the other platforms and have been sorely disappointed thus far.

Halo/Gears was my biggest pull for the Xbox platform last gen but I feel it's more than had it's run now, and don't even get me started with Playstation that has lost soo many of their classic franchises, as a 'core' UK Playstation fan I don't even feel connected to them these days, I feel they've lost their identity, and PC, perhaps I'm stuck in the 90's but I really miss my original FPS's, that being said Wolfenstein was pretty good but they are few and far between this days.

Seriously, thank you Nintendo for continuing do what you do best, make decent, fun, polished games, I would of been lost this gen otherwise.
Click to expand...

I love the Wii U, and it pains me how poorly it's done. I just picked one up as a refurb for $225 with SM3DW, and there's enough games I want for it right now that I feel I've gotten my money's worth.

That being said, It's like someone at Nintendo finally decided to answer the age-old question: "What if Nintendo made a console with only Nintendo games on it?"

The answer clearly being, "It would only sell to Nintendo die-hards and gamers with enough disposable income to buy a second or third system just to play Nintendo games. "
 
Gucci Messiah said:
This seems a bit dramatic
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In terms of software, my interest in gaming is sustained by must-haves, interest-generators, and the occasional gamble. Outside of the Wii U, it's been almost nothing but interest generators and gambles, wheras the Wii U has enjoyed a string of must-haves, including some of my all-time favourite games. Without must-haves, I go through bouts of not playing games.

Things are evening out gradually, but it's been a long goddamn wait, and would have been longer without Wii U. I'd have been twiddling my thumbs waiting for something to get genuinely excited about for several years while playing old games and wondering why I was spending money on gen 8. If I didn't have Wii U reminding me that games of such caliber were still being made, I'd have deeply questioned where gaming was heading based on Sony/MS' roadmap.

So yes, it absolutely saved this gen for me.

Mohonky said:
Nope, what matters is sales figures. I (and evidently many other posters) can't enjoy a game or console knowing it hasn't sold jack shit /s

Though seriously the Wii U is the only console I picked up this gen, and nothing is making me rethink that position from the other consoles. Everything is too 'serious' in the AAA environment. Every game has to be bigger, more complex and pushing some edgy narrative. The games are 'enjoyable' to a degree, in that I might be interested in where the story is heading or I am simply playing something to pass the time; which is the opposite of the Wii U which delivers the least pretentious titles. The games are just flat out 'fun' in a way that makes you smile and the mechanics in the games are incredibly tight and worked on to near perfection. many of the big budget exclusives seem to work around a hook mechanic. Something that is unique to that title that differentiates itself from the plethora of other titles doing much the same thing. That hook might be unique but by a quarter of the way through it loses its uniqueness and just starts to blend into the rest of the game where Nintendo have this way of constantly introducing new ideas and mechanics throughout the games so every new level or area is a different experience and remains fresh the whole way through. You can see it most easily in games like Super 3D Mario World where despite the fact the game is a 3D platformer, every game level is structured around a different core mechanic and design. Excluding any cohesive narrative or story allows the developers more freedom to do those sort of things. It doesn't need to make sense in the greater scheme of things, it just needs to be fun and thats where I feel like Nintendo hits the mark. Their games are rarely ever one trick ponies.

Nintendo just have a differently philosophy to game design that is unique, simple and easy to enjoy. I never feel like I am 'working' my way through a Nintendo game as much as I am experiencing the ride. For me, that's what makes their games more timeless, you can always go back and just enjoy the game for what it is, where with other titles I often find I hit a point where I wouldn't replay a game because I already know the story so theres no real drive to experience it again or I can play any number of games that essentially do the same thing to varying degrees of success but with a different coat of paint.
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This is my feeling as well, although Wii U isn't my only gen 8 console, I have a PS4 as well, which I like a lot.

But the Nintendo difference is hard to beat. They offer a wonderful fusion of accessible, tightly-designed, arcade-y, instant gratification action gameplay backed up with big budgets and content, and an unapologetic lack of pretension, market pandering or grindy padding. It's the way games used to be and is something the industry has steered away from for a long time, although this will hopefully change.
 
shamanick said:
I have a Wii U and a PS4 (and a Vita), and while I love a few games on the Wii U I spend the vast majority of my time on the PS4. The social features alone make it a better console.
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my PS4 turned into my MLB extra innings player. I kinda feel mad at myself for spending 400 on it. lol
 
Considering the only noteworthy Wii U release after half a year is Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, my response is a resounding no.
 
lowrider007 said:
I really think it has and who would of thought it?

I had no interest in the Wii-U initially, not at it's current price point, I only grabbed one a few months ago because someone I knew was selling one cheap and I've honestly not stopped playing it ever since, PC, PS4, Xbox One, nothing has really interested me, I expected a lot more from the other platforms and have been sorely disappointed thus far.

Halo/Gears was my biggest pull for the Xbox platform last gen but I feel it's more than had it's run now, and don't even get me started with Playstation that has lost soo many of their classic franchises, as a 'core' UK Playstation fan I don't even feel connected to them these days, I feel they've lost their identity, and PC, perhaps I'm stuck in the 90's but I really miss my original FPS's, that being said Wolfenstein was pretty good but they are few and far between this days.

Seriously, thank you Nintendo for continuing do what you do best, make decent, fun, polished games, I would of been lost this gen otherwise.
Click to expand...

"Save us" is a phrase full of hyperbole that few will truly agree with, and one that not neccessarily reflects the opinion of the Market at large.

But Wii U had more games that i wanted to play compared to the other consoles, simple as that. Now PS4 and Xbox ONE are becoming more appealing every day.

And also true, its good that Nintendo tries to make their own thing when it comes to games
 
Man, I own a WiiU around here somewhere, but there is no way I can follow the Nintendo fanatic logic train.
 
There are a lot of things I love about the Wii U, and in many ways I'm disappointed it hasn't performed better. It has the best exclusive lineup and the off-TV functionality has been a godsend for me. The lack of a paywall is still how online gaming should be done, so it definitely saddens me to see people celebrate Sony adding one.

So as far as consoles go, it's certainly the most relevant one to me.

That said, PC gaming is where it's at. No paywall, best performance, super flexible, massive library of low-price software.
 
I got a WiiU 1) because it was on clearance and 2) because Rayman Legends got me back into 2D platformers.

It's a console that does what it does exceptionally well on the software side. I'm not a fan of the gamepad or any of the hardware, really, and I probably play my WiiU as much as I play my N64 unless I'm working on a game that just came out, but for the five or six games that I will own for it over the course of its lifetime, I appreciate it.

It does cement the fact that I will probably never pay over $199 for a Nintendo console again, though. Nintendo's consoles are at the point where I will own five or six specific games for them and that's about it, and $199 is the highest amount I can justify paying for the barrier to entry that is their hardware.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is still one of my three favorite games of this generation.
 
I think OP has a point. Nintendo has stuck to its guns and those who have learnt to love its output must be quite happy about the present WiiU lineupt (sure no Metroid in sight, but they have Mario Kart, Smash, Kong, Todd and Zelda is coming too).

On the other hand, as a longtime Playstation fan, I sorely miss some of the franchises of the past and as of the moment I believe that PS4 is a little bit lacking in exclusives.
 
For sure, the Wii U is my favorite current-gen console, but I'm not sure what it would mean for it to "save" the generation. It hasn't sold well. It hasn't won much global mindshare. It lost significant third-party support. And it hasn't influenced the features or products on other platforms.

But for me, the Wii U has been a welcome breath of fresh air and provided many dozens of hours of great fun.
 
StarStabbedMoon said:
The Wii U didn't save the gen, it didn't save us, and it might not have even saved me. But there is one thing I think it did save: Nintendo.

After the Wii, Nintendo wanted to believe it could compete with everything that offers gaming. With the more powerful consoles, with PCs, with mobile, everything. The problem is that Nintendo can only reliably and consistently expect a return on fulfilling one thing for consumers: making great Nintendo games. Both casual consumers and third parties are a fickle bunch, and there's almost nothing Nintendo could have done to bring everyone back and recreate their success from last generation. In some ways, they played it too safe. In other ways, they overreached and further alienated consumers and industry partners.

In my opinion, Nintendo shouldn't be trying to be all things to all gamers. They shouldn't be trying to compete with everything even remotely associated with gaming. They should focus on what they do best: making good games, and if that's on their own proprietary platform or on mobile then that's their choice. The Wii U has saved Nintendo from thinking it's a much larger company than it actually is. We're all expecting Nintendo to compete at a AAA level neck and neck with Sony and Microsoft, but the truth is it can't, and it shouldn't.

I don't understand what people think is so wrong with the prospect of a B-tier console, when we're in an era where B-tier gaming has all but disappeared. The games with mid-level production value of the 90s to the early 2000s is what made this industry so healthy, varied, and exciting. Now everything has to sell 5 million if it wants to avoid being considered a "failure"... or an indie game.

Anyway, this is just a roundabout way of further explaining my dream of Nintendo making the ultimate niche console someday.
Click to expand...

Great post.
 
FairFriend said:
I think OP has a point. Nintendo has stuck to its guns and those who have learnt to love its output must be quite happy about the present WiiU lineupt (sure no Metroid in sight, but they have Mario Kart, Smash, Kong, Todd and Zelda is coming too).

On the other hand, as a longtime Playstation fan, I sorely miss some of the franchises of the past and as of the moment I believe that PS4 is a little bit lacking in exclusives.
Click to expand...

I would argue though, the third party games available along with digital indie games has made up a lot of the First party short comings.

And that Wii U is touting minus W101, Bayonetta 2 a game lineup that is very predictable and mainly caters to Core Nintendo fans.

Also PS4 as a system is offering more in terms of types of software and social services, while Wii U is not.

It's definitely more of subjective personal preference, but one that I think has some merit to it when you look at sales, and popularity among consumers.
 
AzureTranquility95 said:
It's keeping the generation afloat, though not necessarily sailing... if that makes any sense.

And it's solely because of the awesome Nintendo software. Ps4 will eventually get its second wind (Though it had a way better start than Ps3, at least), meanwhile Xbox is Xbox.
Click to expand...

what, quite literally, does any of this post mean?
 
The Wii U is not even in a position to save itself let alone a gaming army LOL

I love the Wii U and I have a PS4 too but these days I spend most of my gaming time on the PC.

If it wasn't for the PC I might not even be gaming much anymore.
 
I think that what you're trying to say is that the Wii U has the games you've enjoyed playing the most so far on this console cycle, and I agree, the other platforms don't have nearly as many polished and enjoyable games as the Wii U, but with that said, it's not a platform that was capable of saving anything, it's more of an anchor to Nintendo than something that is helping keep it afloat.

Your heart is in the right place but your logic is ultimately flawed.
 
The Vita and the Wii U are my favorite current systems. Anything I'm interested in on the XBONE or PS4 I can usually end up catching on Steam. I still mostly play my PS2 though.

I don't think a console can save anybody
 
boclfon479 said:
The news about Konami saying they are going to embrace mobile as the main platform brings up a good point.

If more major developers "jump ship" and leave the consoles relying on first party games, who do you think will Be in a better position in the future, the system that has sold 20+ million consoles and relies mostly on 3rd party games, or the one that's sold 8+ million, but has a more diverse lineup of first party games that on average have been received much better?

I have a Wii U, a PS4, a Vita, a n3DSXL, and a PC. While I use each of them when a game I want comes out, I seem to look forward to the Nintendo first party games more so. Games like FFXV and MGSV look amazing and I'm going to get them day 1, but when I see all the publicity for the newest CoD, AC, BF, ect, I just notice that they are yearly updates to the games with few changes made to make some easy $$.

That's where Nintendo seems to be ahead if more big name developers jump ship, you can buy a Nintendo game and know that it won't be rereleased next year with a few more players, no need to have to buy the next CoD because when it comes out most people stop playing the others online, and the same with racing games. For example, there has been a forms game released each year on X1. Now I don't have one, but I wonder how many people still play the older ones online? Main Nintendo franchises (Smash, MK, NSMB) have all only been released once per console.
Click to expand...

StarStabbedMoon said:
The Wii U didn't save the gen, it didn't save us, and it might not have even saved me. But there is one thing I think it did save: Nintendo.

After the Wii, Nintendo wanted to believe it could compete with everything that offers gaming. With the more powerful consoles, with PCs, with mobile, everything. The problem is that Nintendo can only reliably and consistently expect a return on fulfilling one thing for consumers: making great Nintendo games. Both casual consumers and third parties are a fickle bunch, and there's almost nothing Nintendo could have done to bring everyone back and recreate their success from last generation. In some ways, they played it too safe. In other ways, they overreached and further alienated consumers and industry partners.

In my opinion, Nintendo shouldn't be trying to be all things to all gamers. They shouldn't be trying to compete with everything even remotely associated with gaming. They should focus on what they do best: making good games, and if that's on their own proprietary platform or on mobile then that's their choice. The Wii U has saved Nintendo from thinking it's a much larger company than it actually is. We're all expecting Nintendo to compete at a AAA level neck and neck with Sony and Microsoft, but the truth is it can't, and it shouldn't.

I don't understand what people think is so wrong with the prospect of a B-tier console, when we're in an era where B-tier gaming has all but disappeared. The games with mid-level production value of the 90s to the early 2000s is what made this industry so healthy, varied, and exciting. Now everything has to sell 5 million if it wants to avoid being considered a "failure"... or an indie game.

Anyway, this is just a roundabout way of further explaining my dream of Nintendo making the ultimate niche console someday.
Click to expand...

Ok, 2 very interesting posts in this thread.

The first quote (I thought this was where the OP was going when I saw the thread title..then I read the OP ...lol) I agree Nintendo might be in better position if the industry just all focused on mobile. The thing is tho with a healthier 3rd party relationship on PS and XBox Sony and MS dont really have to do as many good 1st party games ASAP like Nintendo. They can actually take their time because each console offers something other than good 1st party games. With 3rd party basically canceling each other out (tech specs, 1080p aside) both consoles offer something outside just gaming. Both are waaay better at the social features. Both have a waaay better account system. Both offer traditional controls out the box. Factor in other features and its a reason the Wii U is selling poorly.

Its really time to start realizing the Wii was ...something special. Dont wanna say fad or even lighting in a bottle. Just something special.

2nd quote...I agree 100%. Reading that I kinda understand why some say the Wii was a mistake for Nintendo. Financially, hell no. For relevancy, hell yea. I have a feeling their NX thing is gonna be a hybrid console/handheld just because of this. They will try to bring some of the success of their handhelds to the console side.
 
Moon_frogger said:
Oh wow people are attempting to defend that thread title? Wow.
Click to expand...
Literally no one is. Wow. (they all agree with the "for me" aspect even it they don't state it)

Oh and Minecraft is owned by Microsoft which is why the Wii U won't ever be able to get it.

The Wii U probably does suck as an only console. But I have to say, if you own a PC then the other consoles seem even more barren with exclusives. But I dunno, I feel like I would have gotten enough game time if I had owned my Wii U since the past year, but I'm trying to be more healthy with my gaming time.
 
I agree with the premise but your thread title needs some work. There's no saving. Nintendo just remembered to bring the games while the others fell by the wayside. It's like people clapping for no DRM. Things that should be a standard but the industry is so fucked up.

Point is, it's nice to see games like Bayonetta and Pikmin still being made.
 
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